A bit of an introduction about myself. I'm an atheist, never been one to randomly mention that am one but I wont deny it if asked. The problem is I live in the southern part of the united states. Atheists aren't very welcome here. Why am I talking about this, well its due to a conversation my coworkers had had this week. I work in construction, most of my coworkers are super redneck. As in camo wearing, cowboy boots only listens to country rednecks. Well they were doing their usual batter of hurling insults and mocking each other when one made the comment that the other wouldn't say that in front of their mother. The reply "Id say that even if Jesus were here". This rub the guy the wrong way a bit as he say not to bring Jesus into this. The next reply "What do I care I'm an atheist." Now this was said jokingly but the other didn't take it as a joke. No the reply to this comment was "That's not funny, you have a kid on the way." This hit me a bit hard. Its a sudden reminder that what i am is not liked. Whats wrong with an atheist having a kid. I'm I really that scary. Its things like this that i only mention my view when asked. It often worries me what will happen if i let slip I'm an atheist to the wrong person. How will they respond, will they try to get me fired, will they just try to harass me, who would be alright with knowing what I am. All this just leaves me feeling like a pariah where I live.
